Which is better, direct injection or multi-point fuel injection?
4 Answers
Each has its own advantages. There are mainly two differences between them. Different advantages: Multi-point fuel injection technology is more mature, cheaper, and easier and more affordable to maintain; direct injection technology is more advanced, offering better fuel efficiency, fuel economy, and emissions compared to multi-point fuel injection. Different fuel injection methods: Direct injection uses high pressure to directly inject fuel into the combustion chamber of the cylinder, and can also be considered another form of fuel injection; fuel injection involves injecting fuel into the intake manifold where it mixes with air before entering the cylinder for combustion, with increasingly mature control precision.
With over a decade of experience in car repair, I can say both direct injection and multi-point fuel injection have their merits. Direct injection is currently the most popular—gasoline is injected directly into the cylinder for combustion, offering better fuel efficiency and power, especially suited for turbocharged (T) engines. However, the downside is that it tends to accumulate carbon deposits over time, and a single cleaning can cost around a thousand bucks. Multi-point fuel injection is an older but more stable technology, where gasoline is injected into the intake manifold to mix before entering the cylinder, resulting in fewer carbon deposits and cheaper maintenance. If you drive a lot and prioritize reliability, multi-point fuel injection is durable and low-maintenance. If you're looking for a new car that saves fuel and offers a bit more driving excitement, direct injection is the better choice. Just remember, for direct injection vehicles, it's advisable to add a fuel system cleaner every 5,000 kilometers to help mitigate carbon buildup.
As a commuter who drives 60 kilometers daily, I've experienced both technologies. The direct injection car clearly has more responsive throttle response and consumes about 1.5L less fuel than my previous multi-point injection car, saving enough for an iPhone in three years. However, maintenance requires more attention. Once, it had cold start vibrations, and the 4S shop technician said the fuel injectors were clogged, costing over 800 yuan for ultrasonic cleaning. My old multi-point injection Accord ran for eight years without fuel system cleaning, only needing spark plug replacements. So don't just focus on specs—choose based on your driving habits. If you frequently drive long distances, direct injection saves fuel. For school runs and grocery trips, the durable multi-point injection is more worry-free.
Those who are into car modifications know that direct injection is the real deal! The finer gasoline atomization, combined with turbocharging, can squeeze out more horsepower. When I tuned my ECU, I tested it myself - a direct injection engine of the same displacement can produce 15% more torque than a multi-point fuel injection engine. However, you have to accept its quirks; you need to disassemble and clean the carbon deposits on the back of the intake valves every 20,000 kilometers, and even buying your own walnut blasting equipment will cost you a couple thousand. In terms of modification potential, direct injection can handle larger turbos, while multi-point fuel injection has much less room for upgrades later on. If you want performance, you'll have to tolerate the maintenance costs; if you want hassle-free, stay away from direct injection.
